Independent councillors of the Funchal Municipal Assembly, Luís Filipe Santos and Jorge Afonso Freitas, reject the idea of transforming the city into a "land of skyscrapers" and assure they have never supported the widespread construction of 20-story buildings.
In a statement released on Thursday, the councillors state that incorrect interpretations of their position on high-rise construction have been circulated recently, deeming it necessary to clarify the facts. They argue that the city's growth should be balanced, planned, and respectful of Funchal's identity.
They recall that the Municipal Master Plan generally permits buildings up to seven stories, while the Amparo Detailed Plan allows for constructions up to nine stories. The independents' stance involves admitting that, in specific zones and only in exceptional, well-founded cases of high architectural quality, the construction of some buildings with nine, ten, or eleven stories could be considered.
They maintain that any interpretation other than this position "is false and seeks to mislead public opinion." They further argue that "Funchal cannot and should not follow models of uncontrolled urbanization, marked by the proliferation of high-rise buildings that disfigure the city, compromise the landscape, and diminish the quality of life."
They reiterate their commitment to continuing to defend "a modern, sustainable, and balanced Funchal, capable of evolving without losing its identity, its landscape, and the quality of life that distinguishes it."
